ipswich.gov.uk

Site Ref: IP257 (N/A) Land at Felixstowe Road east of Malvern Close

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Support

Draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document

Representation ID: 114

Received: 05/03/2014

Respondent: Ormiston Children and Families Trust

Agent: Evolution Town Planning

Representation Summary:

We support the allocation of Site IP257. Please see attached report.
The existing access is suitable for 27 dwellings.
The site is in a 'suitable location'.
The site is unconstrained and subject to very few site specific issues so housing development could be 'achievable' in 5 years.
The redevelopment of the site for 27 dwellings using the existing access would be 'viable'.
The site will be 'available' when the plan is adopted.
As the site is unconstrained and the existing access is suitable for c.27 dwellings then we would consider the site could be viably developed.

Full text:

We support the allocation of Site IP257 for housing. Please see attached report which has considered the constraints and opportunities for the IP257 site owned by The Ormiston Children and Families Trust.
We have shown that the existing access is suitable for the suggested allocation of 27 dwellings and is unlikely to be resisted by the County Council if/when a planning application is made on the site.
We have described how the withdrawal of the Sure Start facility from the site by the end of March 2014 will mean that the community facility element of the site will be 'genuinely redundant' in line with adopted Policy DM32.
We have confirmed that the site has been submitted for consideration by Ipswich Borough Council for allocation for housing by Evolution Town Planning on behalf of Ormiston in light of the withdrawal of County Council funding support and the Trust's wider needs as a charity.
This is not a process being undertaken by a speculative developer but a genuine attempt by a charitable trust, much valued for its work by local people, to achieve best value from an asset in order to further their charitable work.
In line with the requirements of the NPPF we have considered whether the site is 'deliverable' and 'developable'.
The NPPF states that:
To be considered deliverable, sites should be available now, offer a suitable location for development now, and be achievable with a realistic prospect that housing will be delivered on the site within five years and in particular that development of the site is viable. Sites with planning permission should be considered deliverable until permission expires, unless there is clear evidence that schemes will not be implemented within five years, for example they will not be viable, there is no longer a demand for the type of units or sites have long term phasing plans.
It is likely that no alternative sufficient funding will be found by the Trust to continue the children's services at the Ormiston site and also that the service is provided satisfactorily elsewhere then the site will be 'available now'.
The site is in a 'suitable location' being well-located within short walking distance of a District Centre and numerous public facilities, services and public transport (buses and rail) as shown on plan SAP2 in Appendix 2.
The site is unconstrained and subject to very few site specific issues. If these were dealt with satisfactorily at planning application stage housing development could be 'achievable' in 5 years.
It is also considered at this stage that the redevelopment of the site for 27 dwellings using the existing access would be 'viable'.
The NPPF also states:
To be considered developable, sites should be in a suitable location for housing development and there should be a reasonable prospect that the site is available and could be viably developed at the point envisaged.
As we have explained above the site, being within the settlement boundary of Ipswich, located in short walking distance of a District Centre and surrounded by residential development is in a 'suitable location'.
Because of funding issues which are outside of our clients control and the potential building repair costs, we have demonstrated that there is a more than reasonable prospect that the site will be 'available' when the plan is adopted.
As the site is relatively unconstrained and the County Council have stated they could not foresee objecting to development of c.27 dwellings on this site using the existing access then we would consider the site could be viably developed.
We therefore commend this site for allocation in the current process and for the subsequent allocation of the site.

Object

Draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document

Representation ID: 150

Received: 07/03/2014

Respondent: Cllr Bill Knowles

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

Submission by Priory Heath Councillors.
Ormiston Trust's Ipswich Centre provides services to the local community on the site.
The Trust intends to continue to provide children's and family services from this location.
The services meet the needs of residents in the vicinity, many of whom are vulnerable or suffer deprivation, and are greatly valued by the community.
The Centre is on an accessible but secluded site with outdoor play areas, pleasant landscaping, and a section of the wild-life corridor.
The site is not particularly suitable for housing development, owing to its backland position, proximity to the railway, uneven levels and restricted access.

Full text:

As the councillors for the Priory Heath Ward we object to the proposed allocation of site ref: IP257, Land at Felixstowe Road east of Malvern Close, for 100% low density housing on the following grounds:
Ormiston Children & Families Trust's Ipswich Centre provides an extensive range of services to the local community from their well established premises on the site.
We understand from the Trust that it has every intention of continuing to provide children's and family services from this location, notwithstanding Suffolk County Council's recent announcement that it is taking over the Children's Centre elements of the activities and intends to transfer them to locations outside this community.
The range of services provided is tailored to the needs of residents in the immediate vicinity, many of whom are vulnerable or suffer deprivation.
It is beneficial for users to have the range of services provided at a single location, as they tend to be complementary.
The services are greatly valued by users and the local community.
The Centre is ideally located on an accessible but secluded site off the main radial road with ample outdoor play areas, set within pleasant landscaping, including a section of the wild-life corridor adjacent to the railway line.
The Trust's main administrative offices are also within the complex.
There is no better alternative existing or potential site or premises for relocating the Centre.
The site is not particularly suitable for housing development, owing to its backland position, proximity to the railway, uneven levels and restricted access.
Bill Knowles and on behalf of Cllrs Bill Quinton and John le Grys.